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Stub it out this Stoptober

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Stoptober, the 28 day stop smoking campaign, is back next month and people in Wolverhampton are being encouraged to sign up and try to stub out their cigarettes for the very last time.

The annual Public Health England campaign - the biggest mass quit attempt in the country - is based on research that shows that people who can stop smoking for 28 days are 5 times more likely to stay smokefree for good.

People signing up to Stoptober will join thousands of others trying to quit, and can access a wide range of tools to help them succeed, from medication such as nicotine replacement patches and gum to e-cigarettes.

They can also download a free app, receive daily emails and join online communities on Facebook, or get face to face advice from Wolverhampton Healthy Lifestyles Service, which offers stop smoking support.

Latest data suggests 429 deaths in Wolverhampton a year are related to smoking, and Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your health and the health of those around you.

"It is the biggest cause of preventable illness and premature deaths in the country, with one in every two long term smokers dying prematurely from a smoking related disease unless they quit.

"Quitting can significantly improve people's health and wellbeing, on both a short term and long term basis. For instance, 48 hours after stopping smoking, carbon monoxide will be eliminated from your body; after 72 hours, breathing becomes easier; and from 2 weeks onwards, your circulation improves.

"Five years after quitting, your risk of heart attack falls by half compared with someone who is still smoking, while after 10 years it is the same as if you had never smoked. Also 10 years after quitting, your risk of lung cancer is about half that of a person who still smokes.

"While quitting is never easy, Stoptober is the perfect time to give it a try, particularly with the support of friends, family and work colleagues.

"Everyone's quitting journey is different, and Stoptober can help you choose which one will work for you - and just remember that, if you can make it to 28 days smokefree, you're 5 times more likely to quit for good."

Stoptober begins on Sunday 1 October. For more information, and to sign up, please visit Type=links;Linkid=9674;Title=Stoptober;Target=_blank;.

Help and advice is available from Wolverhampton Healthy Lifestyles Service. For details, please call 01902 553838, email oneyou@wolverhampton.gov.uk or visit Type=articles;Articleid=3740;Title=One You Wolverhampton;.